Filling tube assembly for automatic filling machines



p 9, 1964 I. H. RISSER 3,150,697

FILLING TUBE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIC FILLING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q p 9, 1964 l. H. RISSER 3,150,697

- FILLING TUBE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIG FILLING MACHINES Filed may 5. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 2am EL /193647 I- H. RISSER Sept. 29, 1964 FILLING TUBE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIC FILLING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 W 4 6 a P m q 1 "w 7 a 7 8 6 9 8 M@ 7 6 &5 6 6 5 3 I 3 4 2 z 6 7 58/ {J 7 EU w 6 g a 5 fl 5 V r 8 u 2 7 l m m J m/ m/ M m 7 a 77 m 7 a r a r 1 I W W 5 Km H 1 a y K 25 5 HI. 3 W wHQ/U L 64v 7 7 6 w 7 w 1. H. RISSER Sept. 29, 1964 FILLING TUBE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIC FILLING MACHINES Filed May 5, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,150,697 FILLING TUBE ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMATIC FILLING MACHINES Ivan H. Risser, Glenview, 111., assignor to US. Battlers Machinery Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 5, 1961, Ser. No. 107,967 10 Claims. (Cl. 141-217) The present invention relates to a novel filling tube assembly for automatic filling machines.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel filling tube assembly for automatically filling containers to a controlled height regulated by the height of the container.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel means and manner of automatically filling containers without sealing contact therewith, thereby permitting filling of all types and kinds of containers regardless of the size of the neck or fill opening.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel filling tube assembly in which vacuum is employed to actuate a flexible diaphragm in controlling the filling operation.

' In the present novel embodiment, the containers are moved in a horizontal plane and the filling tube is lowered from its elevated position by cam-actuated means into filling position and raised when filling has been effected and, in the event no container is aligned beneath a filling tube, the latter remains inoperative during its cycle of movement.

The present invention further comprehends a novel filling tube assembly having novel means for initiating flow in the filling operation and novel means for automatically stopping further flow when the liquid reaches a predetermined height in the container.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary View in horizontal cross section of a filling machine embodying the novel filling tube assembly, the view being taken approximately on the line 11 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the irregular line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of successive filling tube assemblies and the tripping cam roller for initiating the filling operation when the filling tube has been lowered to a predetermined depth in the container, the view being taken at an angle corresponding to that of the arrow designated by the numeral 4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, the air and liquid control valves being shown in open position for filling.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the irregular line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to but with the valve means closed and the diaphragm shown at the instant of closing and thus in changed position from that of FIG. 5, the view being taken on the irregular line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a partial end elevational view taken from the left-hand side of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top plan View of the intermediate section of the valve housing, the view being taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a view, part in horizontal cross section and part in plan, view being taken on the line 1111 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the aligned valve-actuating rods and diaphragm shown in FIG. 8, but in the position they occupy when the diaphragm is retracted by its spring to the right upon closing the air control valve.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the lower end of a modified form of a filling tube extending into the neck of the container to be filled.

Referring to the novel illustrative embodiment disclosed in the drawings, in the novel filling operation empty containers 10 to be filled are deposited in upright position in single file onto the upper portion of an endless belt or conveyor 11 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) supported upon a feed bed 12 and directed between spaced longitudinal guides 13 and 14 and an adjoining arcuate portion of a center guide 15 into successive pockets or recesses of a feed star 16 rotating in counter-clockwise direction by a vertical drive shaft 17, and together with the center guide 15 depositing the containers onto a revolving base or bed plate 18 upon which each successive empty container is received and aligned beneath one of a plurality of filling tube assemblies 19 rotatable with the bed plate 18, the feed conveyor being synchronously timed to the feed star 16. The filled containers are removed from the bed plate 18 by means of a discharge star 21 and the adjoining arcuate surface of the center guide 15 which deposit the filled containers onto the adjacent discharge portion and between the longitudinal guides 13 and 14 of the conveyor 11 for removal.

Each filling tube assembly 19 is connected through a flexible tube or conduit 22 to a source of liquid supply, connected through a substantially smaller tube or conduit 23 to a source of air under pressure, and also connected through another relatively small tube or conduit 24 to a source of vacuum. Also each of the circumferentially spaced filling tube assemblies 19 is carried on the lower end of one of plural slide bars 25 each vertically movable between laterally spaced guide plates 26 carried on and rotatable with a cylindrical support 27 mounted at the upper end of circumferentially spaced vertical posts 28 aflixed to and rotatable with the base or bed plate 18. A head plate 29 bridges the upper portion of the annular support 27 and the circumferentially spaced posts 28, while a fixed cover 31 bridges the upper ends of the stationary outer standards 32.

From the cover 31 (FIG. 3) depends a stationary inlet manifold 33 sealed to the atmosphere and having a. coupling 34 of a liquid supply tube 35 for supplying the liquid to be bottled from a suitable external source of supply having a controlled pressure, through the manifold 33 into a reservoir 36 depending from and rotatable with the head plate 29, and from this reservoir through multiple outlet ports 37 each connected to one of the tubes 22 leading to a filling tube assembly 19.

Depending from and rotatable with the reservoir 36 is shown another reservoir 38 sealed to the atmosphere but open to the lower discharge end of a relatively small pipe 39 depending into the reservoir 38 and connected to an external tube 41 leading to a continuous source of controlled air pressure such as a pump, the reservoir 38 being connected through ports to spaced plural tubes 23 each continuously supplying air under pressure to a filling tube assembly 19.

Supported upon and revolving with the bed plate 18 is a receptacle 42 providing a vacuum chamber connected through the end of an upstanding small pipe 43 and external tube 44 to a controlled vacuum source such as suction pump. The upstanding pipe 43 is encompassed by a substantially larger drain pipe 45 depending from the bottom of the reservoir and both are maintained stationary while the bed plate 18 and the reservoir 42 revolve. The lower end of the drain pipe 45 is shown connected by a drain tube 46 providing a return for any overflow liquid collecting in the reservoir 42 which is preferably returned back to the liquid supply by means of a pump.

The containers 10 to be filled move in timed and spaced relation upon and with the bed plate 18 and each is accurately located beneath a filling tube assembly 19, the latter being lowered to a predetermined depending position by its slide bar 25 with its filling stem 47 depending into a container 10 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 8). This position is determined by a collar 48 adjustably mounted on the stem 47 and having depending flanges 49 contacting the neck 51 of the container.

Lowering and raising of the successive filling tube assemblies 19 is effected by means of a slide roller 52 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) carried by the slide bar 25 when engaging the inclined cam surfaces 53 and 54, respectively, of a tube lowering and elevating cam 55. As shown in FIG. 4, the downwardly inclined cam surface 53 permits the weight of each filling tube assembly 19 to lower as the slide roller 52 follows the downward incline of this cam surface until the depending flanges 49 on the collar 48 seat on the neck 51 of the aligned container 10 therebelow. In this operative position, as shown in FIGS. and 7, the valve-actuating rod 56 of the control valve unit 57 of the filling tube assembly supplying the containers with a uniform level of liquid 58 is tripped by contact of a cam roller 59 with the projecting end of the valve-actuating rod 56.

The cam roller 59 is so positioned that it is aligned with and contacts the valve-actuating rod 56 for depressing and opening the air control valve 57 and actuating the filling mechanism only when the stem 47 of a filling tube assembly 19 enters a container and is properly positioned thereon by the flanges of 49 of its collar 48. If, for any reason, a container is not positioned below and aligned with the stem 47, the slide roller 52 continues its downward movement on the cam surface 53 disposing the end of the valve-actuating rod 56 below and out of alignment and possible contact with the cam roller 59 as it passes the latter so that the control valve 57 is not actuated but remains closed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the cam roller 59 is mounted on one end of a trip arm 61 pivotally mounted at 62 upon a bracket 63 adjustably mounted on a standard 32. The other end of this arm 61 is attached to one end of a tension spring 64 with the other end of this spring affixed to the bracket 63. To limit the forward or outward movement of the spring-biased arm 61 and its roller 59 in depressing the rod 56, this arm is provided with a stop 65 adapted to contact a shoulder 66 on the bracket 63.

Referring in detail to the novel control valve unit 57 of FIGS. 5 to 11, inclusive, it includes a valve housing comprising an upper section 67, a lower section 68 and an intermediate section 70 suitably bolted together and each preferably formed of a suitable plastic composition and cored to receive the component parts of the valve assembly. The upper section 67 has a transverse bore of inwardly stepped diameters, the outer and larger bore being internally threaded to receive an externally threaded sleeve 69 having an opening for slidably receiving the valve-actuating control rod 56, the latter having an inner enlargement forming the air control valve 57 adapted to be moved into and out of contact with an annular valve seat 71 formed on the inner end of the threaded sleeve for controlling the flow of air under pressure from the chamber 72. When the valve 57 is open, the air under pressure from the chamber 72 flows to the atmosphere 4. through a longitudinal groove 73 formed in the circumference of the rod 56. I Inwardly of the valve 57, the rod 56 is of reduceddiameter at 74 where it projects through the opening in an encompassing threaded plug 75 and through an O or sealing ring 76, with the inner end thereof projectingv into a laterally extending port 77 open to the atmosphere. This sealing ring 76 encompassing the reduced end 74 of the air control rod 56 places a drag or brake on its reciprocating movement. Adjoining the inner end 74 of the valve-actuating rod 56 is one end of a freely slidable aligned rod or pin 78 with the other end thereof adapted to abut a disc or plate 79 spaced from the inner end of a stem 81 carrying a flexible or resilient diaphragm 82 having its peripheral edge securely anchored between a shoulder at the rear of the upper section 67 of the control valve housing and the annular peripheral flange 83 of an end plate 84 secured to the upper housing section. The disc 79 is embedded in a recess in the inner face of the diaphragm.

The stem 81 projects through an opening in the end plate 84 and is encompassed by a coil spring 85 abutting at one end a recessed shoulder 86 defining the opening in the end plate and at its other end abutting a collar or washer 87 adjustably mounted on the outer threaded end 88 of the stem 81 and retained in adjusted positionaccordance with suction applied to the vacuum chamber 91 at one side of the diaphragm.

The lower surface of the upper housing section 67 and the upper surface of the adjoining or intermediate housing section 70 are recessed at 92 and 93, respectively, to receive a flexible or resilient valve 94 controlling the liquid supply and having a thin peripheral flange 95 anchored between abutting surfaces 96 and 97, and a thick central section 98 of a diameter or cross section for completely spanning and closing a vertical liquid supply port 99 in the intermediate section 70.

The vertical discharge port 99 is aligned with a communicating vertical discharge port 101 in the lower section 68 and a passage 102 opening into the annular liquid passage 103 in the filling tube 104, the latter having plural spaced discharge ports 105 adjacent the closed end 106 of this tube. In this closed end is anchored the open lower end of the encompassed vent tube 107, the upper open end of the latter opening into a recess 108 which in turn opens into a vacuum or expansion chamber 109 collecting any withdrawn liquid and connected to a vacuum tube 24 through a restrictor 111. The upper end 112 of the filling tube is threaded and detachably mounted in the lower housing section 68.

Communicating ports and passages are provided in the housing sections 67, 68 and 70 as shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, inclusive. These include a port 113 for the liquid supply opening into the recess 93 of the intermediate housing section 70, communicating passages 114, 115 and 116 opening from the vacuum chamber 109 into the vacuum chamber 91 at the rear or one side of the resilient diaphragm 82, and communicating ports 117 and 118 for the air supply from the air pressure tube 23, the port 118 preferably having a restricted orifice opening into the pressure chamber 72. A passage 119 is also provided in the upper housing section 67 communicating between the pressure chamber 72 in which reciprocates the air control valve 57 and the recess 92 in the base of this housing section for closing of the liquid supply valve 94 by the air pressure.

The sections 67, 68 and 70 of the housing are suitably bolted together at 121 and 122, and to prevent leakage of air or liquid between adjoining surfaces provided with sealing rings 123.

In FIG. 13 is disclosed a modified form of filling tube assembly in which the vent tube 107 does not extend to the lower end of the filling tube 104*. In this form minimum-W the open lower end of the vent tube is spaced upwardly from the lower end of the filling tube and flow is stopped when the liquid or product being dispensed reaches a depth to impede flow through the open end of the vent tube.

In the operation of the disclosed filling machine embodying the present novel filling tube assembly, the operator initially locates the adjustable collar 48 at the desired height on the filling stem 47 whereby the latter projects into the containers to be filled to the desired depth. During operation a vacuum is continuously drawn through the vacuum tubes 24, and air pressure is continuously applied through the tubes 23 to each of the filling tube assemblies. Liquid is supplied from a suitable source of supply through the tubes 22.

FIG. 8 discloses the air control valve 57 on the control rod 56 and the liquid control valve 94 in closed position and the flexible diaphragm 82 in operative position. In FIG. 5, the above valves and diaphragm are shown in the position they occupy when the air control valve 57 is moved to open position by contact of the cam roller 59 with the aligned projecting end of the control rod 55 as it moves with its filling tube assembly past the roller. As air under pressure is applied continuously through the communicating ports to the pressure chamber 72 and to the recess 92 through a restricted port, such pressure retains the air valve 57 and the liquid supply valve 94 closed until the valve 57 is opened by depressing the control rod 56. Immediately upon opening of the valve 57, air pressure is relieved to the atmos phere through the longitudinal groove 73 in the control rod 56, and the head of the liquid supply assures lifting of the closed valve 94 to open position and allows full flow of liquid through the filling tube 104 into its container 10.

While filling proceeds, air is continuously withdrawn through the vent tube 107 and is also free to escape to the atmosphere about the open end or neck 51 of the container 10. As the liquid level in the container reaches approximately the lower open end of the vent tube 107 it closes further flow therethrough, whereupon the vacuum at the back of the spring-biased diaphragm 82 snaps the latter to the left (FIG. 8) overcoming the tension of the spring 85 and moves the control rod 56 and the air control valve 57 to the closed position shown in FIG. 8. Simultaneously, the air pressure entrapped upon closing the valve 57 and open through the passage 119, maintains the liquid control valve 94 in closed position and prevents flow of liquid to the filling tube. Thereupon, the spring-biased diaphragm 82 is moved slightly to the right as shown in FIG. 12.

The spring 85 is adjusted for the vacuum employed, which is preferably from approximately 2 to 7 inches, and the air pressure may be from approximately 5 to 35 pounds. The liquid supply may be fed by gravity or applied pressure sufficient to assure opening of the valve 94 when air pressure is relieved.

Assuming you have a seven inch vacuum in the line and the spring-biased diaphragm 82 is set for a five inch vacuum, when the product dispensed closes 01f the lower open end of the vent tube 107, this diaphragm moves to the left (FIG. 8) to close the air valve 57. As soon as the valve 57 is closed, the spring 85 Withdraws the diaphragm to the right. However, the suction produced cannot lift any entrapped liquid in the bottom of the trap or expansion chamber 109 and any entrapped liquid is prevented from entering the vacuum chamber 91 adjacent the diaphragm 82. Thus the expansion chamber 193 collects and entraps any liquid withdrawn by suction through the vent or vacuum tube 107. It should be noted the upper end of this vacuum tube is disposed above the chamber 109 so that any withdrawn liquid is discharged in the upper recess 108 and drops downwardly therefrom and is thus separated from the passage 114 communicating with the vacuum chamber 91.

The sealing ring 76 encompassing the inner reduced 6 end 74 of the control rod 56 applies a frictional drag or brake on the reciprocating movement of this rod whereby centrifugal force of the rotating component parts of the filling tubes cannot move the control rod 56 and valve 57 to outwardly closed position. It also prevents vibration from tending to move this valve under slight air pressure.

The port 77 open to the atmosphere permits the escape of any air or fluid leaking past the end 74 of the valve stem and the adjoining aligned pin 78.

The component parts of the sectional housing and the threaded sleeve 69 are preferably of a plastic composition and other actuating parts are preferably of noncorrosive or corrosive-resistant metal so that the apparatus lends itself to use with highly corrosive as well as with other liquids which may be free flowing or of different viscosities.

Any suitable drive mechanism may be employed for operating the conveyor 11 and for rotating the drive shafts 17 of the feed star 16 and discharge star 21, and for rotating the bed plate 18 and associated parts through the meshing pinions or ring gears 124 and 125.

From the above description and disclosure, it will be readily apparent that the present invention comprehends a novel filling tube assembly capable of filling various types of containers without sealing contact between the filling tube and the open end of the containers, and a novel means and manner of accurately controlling the filling operation and assuring positive and instantaneous cut-off of the flow when filling has been accomplished.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. In a rotary filling machine including a rotating table for containers to be filled and a rotating assembly having a filling unit corresponding to each container position and including a filling tube assembly for filling a container to a predetermined liquid level without effecting sealing of the container, said filling tube assembly comprising a housing having a depending filling stem the lower end of which enters said container to a predetermined depth, cam means for raising and lowering each housing from and to a container, said filling stem including a vent tube open at its lower end for venting the container and communicating with a vacuum source, an encompassing filling tube communicating with a source of liquid supply and having discharge ports adjacent its lower end, a liquid control valve for controlling fiow of liquid through said filling tube and urged to open position by pressure of the liquid supply, a source of air supply for applying air pressure to close said valve against the liquid pressure, an air control valve for said air supply retaining said liquid control valve closed upon closing of said air control valve, tripping mechanism for opening said air control valve and relieving air pressure on said liquid control valve whereupon entering liquid lifts said liquid control valve and flows into said container, and a flexible diaphragm mounted in a vacuum chamber, one side of said diaphragm communieating with said vent tube and vacuum source, a stem connected to the opposite side of said diaphragm, and resilient means normally urging said stem and said diaphragm outwardly from said vacuum chamber, said diaphragm being actuated by said vacuum source to close said air control valve and the air pressure in turn closes said liquid control valve when the depth of liquid reaches approximately the open lower end of .the vent tube.

2. In a rotary filling machine as set forth in claim 1, in which said air control valve includes an elongated valve stem having a portion of one diameter abutting said flexible diaphragm when said valve is in open position, and a portion of a larger diameter having a longitudinally extending groove communicating with said air supply source and the exterior of the housing, a valve separating said stem portions, and a valve seat upon which said valve rests to close 831d. groove and exert air pressure on said liquid control valve.

3. In a rotary filling machine as set forth in claim 1, in which said liquid control valve includes a flexible and resilient member secured at its periphery within said a a housing and having a relatively thick central section for spanning and closing a liquid supply port leading to said filling stem.

4. A filling tube assembly for a machine for filling containers to a predetermined uniform level, comprising a head including a housing and a depending filling stem having a filling tube and an encompassed vent tube of substantially smaller diameter, a vacuum line connected to said housing and communicating with said vent tube and a vacuum chamber in said housing, a liquid supply line connected to said housing and communicating with said filling tube, a first valve controlling fiow of liquid from said supply line to said filling tube, a line for supplying air under pressure to said housing and valve for maintaining the latter closed, a second valve which upon opening relieves the air pressure to said first valve whereupon said first valve is opened by liquid pressure, camactuated means for opening said second valve to relieve air pressure on said first valve, a vacuum-actuated diaphragm for closing said second valve whereupon the entrapped air pressure closes said first valve to stop fiow of the liquid, one side of said diaphragm communicates with said vacuum chamber for moving said diaphragm in one direction to close said second valve, and means for spring biasing said diaphragm in the other direction.

5. A filling tube assembly as set forth in claim 4, in which said second valve includes a reciprocating plungeractuated valve having an inner stem slidably mounted in the housing and a sealing ring encompassing and placing a drag on said stem to retain said valve and its stem in open position.

6. In a rotary filling machine for filling a plurality of containers, a filling tube assembly for filling each container to a predetermined liquid level without effecting sealing of the container, comprising a housing having a filling stem the lower end of which enters said container to a predetermined depth and having a vent open at its lower end for venting the container and communicating with a vacuum source through an expansion chamber in which any overflow in the filling operation is trapped, the upper end or" said vent tube opening into a recess above and communicating with said vacuum source through said expansion chamber, a liquid supply source communicating with said housing and with a vertical liquid supply port in said housing leading to said filling stem to supply liquid to said container, a liquid control valve for controlling fiow of liquid through said filling stem and opening under liquid pressure, a flexible diaphragm and a vacuum chamber at one side of said diaphragm and communicating with said vent tube and vacuum source, said expansion chamber entrapping any collected liquid and preventing the latter from being withdrawn into said vacuum chamber adjacent said diaphragm, spring-biasing means normally urging said diaphragm away from the vacuum chamber, a source of air supply for applying air pressure against said valve to close the valve against the liquid pressure, an air control valve for controlling flow of air under pressure to said liquid control valve and retaining said last mentioned "alve closed upon closing of said air control valve to trap the air pressure, and a cam-actuated tripping mechanism for opening said air control valve and relieving air pressure on said liquid control valve whereupon the entering liquid flows into said container, said diaphragm being actuated by vacuum when the depth of liquid reaches approximately the open lower end of the vent tube to move the diaphragm against the force of the spring-biasing means to close the air control valve and liquid control valve.

7. In a rotary filling machine as set forth in claim 6, in which said air control valve includes a valve-actuating control rod extending through said housing to the exterior thereof and having a longitudinally extending groove to vent air pressure to the exterior of the housing when the valve is open.

8. In a rotary filling machine as set forth in claim 7, in which a pin aligned with said control rod abuts the diaphragm when the air control valve is open.

9. In a rotary filling machine as set forth in claim 6, in which said liquor control valve includes a flexible and resilient member having a relatively thick central section adapted to close the vertical liquid supply port.

10. A filling tube assembly for filling a container with liquid While the latter remains unsealed and open to the atmosphere, comprising a head having a valve housing and :1 depending filling stem adapted to be reciprocated vertically with the filling stem entering a container therebelow to a level to be filled while the container is moved in a horizontal plane, said filling stem having a vent opening and vacuum means for exhausting air from the container through said vent opening, a flexible valve member for controlling fiow of the liquid from a liquid supply, said valve member being opened by pressure of the entering liquid, a source of air supply for applying air pressure to close said valve member against the liquid pressure, a reciprocable air valve controlling closing of said valve member by air pressure, cam means opening said air valve to relieve air pressure and permit opening of the valve member by liquid pressure, said head and its fiiiing stem being operative when in alignment with said cam means and moving out of alignment with said cam means when a container is absent below the filling stem, and a flexible diaphragm actuated by said vacuum means when liquid in the container reaches approximately the vent opening and air fiow through the latter is impeded, said diaphragm closing said air valve to exert air pressure on said flexible valve member to close said valve member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,550,738 Payne Aug. 25, 1925 1,917,364 Gallagher July 11, 1933 1,998,221 Conklin Apr. 16, 1935 2,011,393 Bradley Aug. 13, 1935 2,081,650 Tamminga et al May 25, 1937 2,585,821 Mueller Feb. 12, 1952 2,965,141 Hoyer Dec. 20, 1960 2,982,304 Bauerlein May 2, 1961 3,037,536 Fechheimer et al. June 5, 1962 

10. A FILLING TUBE ASSEMBLY FOR FILLING A CONTAINER WITH LIQUID WHILE THE LATTER REMAINS UNSEALED AND OPEN TO THE ATMOSPHERE, COMPRISING A HEAD HAVING A VALVE HOUSING AND A DEPENDING FILLING STEM ADAPTED TO BE RECIPROCATED VERTICALLY WITH THE FILLING STEM ENTERING A CONTAINER THEREBELOW TO A LEVEL TO BE FILLED WHILE THE CONTAINER IS MOVED IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE, SAID FILLING STEM HAVING A VENT OPENING AND VACUUM MEANS FOR EXHAUSTING AIR FROM THE CONTAINER THROUGH SAID VENT OPENING, A FLEXIBLE VALVE MEMBER FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OF THE LIQUID FROM A LIQUID SUPPLY, SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING OPENED BY PRESSURE OF THE ENTERING LIQUID, A SOURCE OF AIR SUPPLY FOR APPLYING AIR PRESSURE TO CLOSE SAID VALVE MEMBER AGAINST THE LIQUID PRESSURE, A RECIPROCABLE AIR VALVE CONTROLLING CLOSING OF SAID VALVE MEMBER BY AIR PRESSURE, CAM MEANS OPENING SAID AIR VALVE TO RELIEVE AIR PRESSURE, AND PERMIT OPENING OF THE VALVE MEMBER BY LIQUID PRESSURE, SAID HEAD AND ITS FILLING STEM BEING OPERATIVE WHEN IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID CAM MEANS AND MOVING OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH SAID CAM MEANS WHEN A CONTAINER IS ABSENT BELOW THE FILLING STEM, AND A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM ACTUATED BY SAID VACUUM MEANS WHEN LIQUID IN THE CONTAINER REACHES APPROXIMATELY THE VENT OPENING AND AIR FLOW THROUGH THE LATTER IS IMPEDED, SAID DIAPHRAGM CLOSING SAID AIR VALVE TO EXERT AIR PRESSURE ON SAID FLEXIBLE VALVE MEMBER TO CLOSE SAID VALVE MEMBER. 